Texas man charged in killings set for court
HOUSTON — A man with a violent criminal history entered a Houston home through an unlocked window and fatally shot a woman he'd previously dated, her husband and six children, including a boy believed to be his own son, authorities said.
David Conley, 48, is charged with capital murder in the deaths and is set to make his first court appearance this morning before a trial judge. Conley, who is being held in the Harris County Jail and doesn't yet have an attorney, didn't appear at a court hearing Sunday at which he was denied bond.
The dead, all shot in the head, were identified as parents Dewayne Jackson, 50; his wife, Valerie Jackson, 40; and their children Dewayne, 10; Honesty, 11; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. Also killed was a 13-year-old, Nathaniel, who was believed to be Conley's son from the relationship with Valerie Jackson.
Authorities were first alerted Saturday about a problem when a relative of Valerie Jackson contacted the sheriff's office to request a welfare check.
“Upon arrival, deputies made multiple attempts to establish contact with residents inside the home. No contact was made,” Chief Deputy Tim Cannon of the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.
After authorities learned that Conley, who had once lived in the home, had a warrant for his arrest for an assault charge, the sheriff's office High Risk Operations Unit was called.
“While awaiting response for the (unit), the body of an unidentified child was observed through a window at the residence,” he said. “Deputies on scene forced entry into the home and were immediately met with gunfire. The deputies withdrew from the home ... and awaited the arrival of the” unit.
A standoff ensued for several hours between Conley and authorities until Conley surrendered, authorities said.
